Friday, July 30, 2010

So most of you know that I get paid to evaluate manuscripts, partial manuscripts, queries and synopses for writers who are struggling to get theirs ready for submission. My job is to point out areas for improvement and teach them how to strengthen the overall plot, even out the pacing, increase the tension, enhance the voice, find the theme, hook the reader and balance the elements of the story in a cohesive manner. I point out what is not working in what they've written (and why) and then show them how to make it work.

But writers must learn to write with a critical eye toward their own work. They must learn to anticipate the questions that agents, editors, crit partners and readers will have about their story. They must learn that for every writing decision they make, there is a consequence. Just what do I mean?

I'm finding more than ever that there are many writers who are capable of penning entire books without the first clue as to what their book is really about. Ask them and they will not be able to answer. Ask what their main character needs to overcome--what motivates the main character and they will be completely stumped.

But I'm not judging. I've been there. It took me two long years to understand that my first novel while it has angels in it, is not about angels. And to allow others to reduce it to "an angel book" would be like allowing people to reduce Cinderella to a book about Princesses.

As a writer you must be able to fully understand what drives and motivates your characters. Otherwise, their actions and reactions will be forced and unrealistic. You must have a realistic portrayal that rings true to the reader. Action-reaction.

For example: Your character is leaving for boarding school. She doesn't want to go but is being forced to as punishment for an incident involving alcohol, the police and a boy. Your book opens with the protagonist talking to her mother about leaving. Yet, they are very calm. No one even mentions the incident. There is little indication that the mother is at all concerned about the daughter's behavior or that the daughter has resentment for being sent away. But maybe the daughter is glad to be getting out of the house and away from her too strict parents. At the very least it is not the opening one would expect given the set up created by the author. There is little tension, casual conversation and the sixteen year old spends time on the phone with a friend. I would have to assume that this teen would be grounded for a long time behind an incident like this and if she were on the phone, she would be sneaking and talking lots of smack about her horrible parents--I know I would.

NOW. Let me backtrack. My guess is that the author of the story I pulled this example from used this as a means to an end. We all do this when we write--I think. We say to ourselves, "I need a way to get my character from point A to point B." Here, the author needed a reason for the protag to be forced to leave her home. This is all well and good. The reason itself it a great one. HOWEVER. You must support the "reason" throughout the story and fully understand how the choice you make as a storyteller now impacts your story and your character.

As for the story--you must now spend some time on what an incident like that does to the teen and her relationship with her family. You need to address whether this was a one-time thing or if she is a troubled teen. You should consider how a teen may be feeling about her parents who are punishing her by sending her away. And what of the drugs? Hers? The boy's? Were they together? Does she have feelings for him? Has she been ostracised since the incident?

You don't need to address all of those issues in one scene or chapter but throughout the story, over the course of the book--since you brought it up and made it pivotal, the reader has a right to have closure. And by the way, so does your protagonist.

In other words, think about the doors you open in your work. Make sure the hinges are on tight, they (the doors) have a nice coat of paint and close properly. Every plot and sub plot should have a good beginning, middle and end. You can have a catalyst or bridge to get you from one plot point to another but that bridge had better not have any holes in it.

Remember, writing fiction does not consist solely of making things up. Your reader is intelligent and can sense a faulty plot a mile away. Be sure to close loopholes, answer all possible "whys" you anticipate a reader may have and don't leave your story or characters exposed.

I truly hope this has helped. Please visit my blog for more info on critique and editorial services. Best of luck with your writing.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

We probably have, but I'm going to talk about them anyway. Mostly, this is a ploy to get you to watch my book trailer and tell me what you think of it, but also I'm really curious about what everyone thinks of book trailers in general.

I'm no expert, but from what I can tell there are a few different categories of book trailers:

Short, polished, professional:

Polished, professional (entire advance spent on actors and directors and Hollywood stuff):

Really long/storytelling/viral trailer:

Made at your kitchen table for $0 with your kids screaming in the background:

So, lovely YA-5 readers, do you have a preference? Do book trailers make you want to buy a book?

For me, I haven't really seen a trailer that would make me run as fast as I can to the store to buy a book. A lot of times the word of mouth that directed me to the trailer will make me want to buy the book. And periodically a meme on Twitter (like #gimmeacall) will entice me to buy a book. But so far... trailers seem cool and fun to watch but none have pushed me over the edge of my sadly skinny wallet.

Tell me what you think of trailers. And now that I think of it, I'm even more curious about trailers vs. memes. What say you, wise ones?

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

First off, let me just begin by saying how awesome it is to be back in the collective WIN of the YA-5. We've all been galavanting and adventuring, and it's nice to be home for a change.

Now, there's something about a return to the rhythm and pull of an established routine that makes me think back to those first writing assignments of the year that elementary school teachers always make you do, and always with the same ever-so-clever title: "What I Did Last Summer". This is what I did this summer: I went to Space Camp.

Remember Space Camp?

Well, that's not exactly where I was. Instead, I participated in a workshop called Launch Pad, a NASA-funded program that gets a bunch of science fiction authors and editors together and gives them a crash course in astronomy. We listened to lectures, played with spectrometry machines, read like fiends and played with telescopes at night. I saw the rings of Saturn, guys. And counted the craters of the moon. I learned terms like spaghettification (what happens to matter when it crosses the event horizon of a black hole. Clarification: it ain't pretty), and that you can survive the vacuum of space for two whole minutes (though you'd lose consciousness after twenty seconds) and that light does some funny things when assaulted by gravity.

But mostly, for the first time in my life, I actually had fun at camp. Which brings me to the subject of this post:

The Camp Novel.

Now, I'll be honest here and admit that I've never much cared for the camp novel. I seem to recall one of the many Attractive-Big-Sister-Dies-Of-Leukimia-While-Unattractive-Little-Sister-Carries-On novels that littered the shelves when I was a teen having at least part of the action happen when the main character was at summer camp. I remember more than once throwing one of those books at the wall - but I was known to do that sort of thing.

But why camp? It stands to reason, I suppose, from a writer's standpoint: You get the kid away from the pressures of the day-to-day and force them to confront whatever needs confronting. I get that. It's kind of lazy, but I've had to do it with my own characters, too. Still, the summer camp novel seemed to carry with it a load of baggage with which I could never identify. They were too rich. Too suburban. Too mono-ethnic. And far too separate from my own experience. I grew up in a family where money was an issue. I went to an incredibly diverse high school. I could see absolutely none of me in those books.

But all that changed for me when I read this book:

Oh, Louis! You had me with Sideways School, you dead-rat-wielding wordsmith! But once I read Holes, I was yours forever!

I absolutely love this book. And I could talk forever about the fable-like quality to the writing, the exploration of the Other, the Dickensian patterning of the larger plot, the way in which the different layers of the story create all sorts of intertextually resonating goodness and how that book is generally dripping in Awesome Sauce, but right now, I'm going to focus on the aspect of camp. You see, for Stanley Yelnats - our hero - he chooses camp because he grew up poor, and because it represented everything that was denied to him because he was an outsider.

Camp represents for Stanley a chance to be something different than what he was - poor, geeky, fat, lonely and unlucky. What he discovers, though, is that camp is not an escape from the world - it is the world, boiled down to its elements. There still are sinister forces and bullies and true friends and fake friends and people you think you can trust.....but you can't. There's also heroism. And understanding. And redemption.

Actually, maybe we should take a break so we can go re-read Holes.

Anyway, I've been thinking about camp novels that work. Ones that stare Truth in the eye until Truth punches them in the face, and yet those novels never flinch.

Boot Camp, by Todd Strasser definitely fits the bill - a novel about a kid who's parents send him to one of those "behavior boot camps" for troubled teens......with terrifying consequences. Also, The Lost Summer, by Katherine Williams, a book that made me cry and cry. A friend of mine made the argument that Hunger Games was secretly a camp novel.

What are your favorite camp novels?

And while you're thinking of it, why don't we take a minute to take in the glory and riches that define the camp scenes in the second Addams Family movie, because they are cinematic gold, I tell you. GOLD!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Wow. First Monday back at the YA 5. Check out these new digs! And all of last week's spooktacular fun! I hope everyone has their ear to the ground, as the giveaways are still open for a few more days! Mad props to Georgia for organizing the fab madness!

It's been a hot summer here in Texas. Throughout the sweltering weeks fellow Austinite and YA-5-er K.A. Holt and I have occasionally peeled ourselves off of our respective sofas and meandered to a coffee shop where we "work" on "writing" and exchange critique and argue about what makes a good apocalypse. This week she and her kids even turned me into a unicorn with her fancy iPhone app.

Of course, this leads to book comparisons and the eventual recommendation of titles. Such as THE ROAD. Kari made me read it. She said it was for my own good. And I finished it about ten minutes ago and of course it was wonderful and I'm so glad I read it (even if I whined the whole time) and by the end of the book I was just completely engrossed.

Now I know this isn't a YA title. Cormac McCarthy writes for adults. But THE ROAD is often assigned to high school English classes, here in Austin, and while I was reading, I kept wondering a) OMG if I am struggling to read the first fifty pages of this book, how does a high school kid who also has to do, like, calculus and chemistry and stuff get through it? and b) if I am so engrossed by this book as an adult, would I have been into it enough as a teen to actually read it for class?

Let's face it: assigned reading bears the burden of being assigned. You HAVE to read it to make the grade, and if you're anything like me, you feel that anything you HAVE to do isn't fun. I mean, I'm supposedly a grown-up, and if someone tells me I HAVE to get dressed I'm going to sit around in my pajamas for hours just to show them I don't HAVE to do anything.Maybe I should have my grown-up card revoked.

Anyway, a) yes, teenagers are ridiculously smart. So smart that there's no doubt that they can read THE ROAD and other literary books with tough topics and big words (Cormac McCarthy uses a lot of words that I have to look up). But how do they find the time? This book took me WEEKS to read, and I don't have French homework or soccer practice. So, I would like to give props to the Texas teens who read this book as part of their curriculum. You are heroes.

And b) confession time: I only did about 10% of my assigned reading. And knowing that my former English teacher Mrs. Ryder sometimes reads my posts I AM SORRY REALLY I AM but sophomore year I still read most of the stuff. I mean I loved LORD OF THE FLIES and I memorized that solioquy from MACBETH and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS is still one of my favorite books ever, so, cut me some slack. Mrs. Ryder, I bet I read more of your assignments than my dad did when he was in your class, okay? Okay.

But by senior year I was drowning in college applications and a boyfriend from another school (didn't so much mind that bit...) and the last thing I needed in my life was Herman Melville. I know some of you out there read MOBY DICK and cherish it and are making voodoo dolls of me right now. And maybe you aren't the type of person who gets an assignment and thinks that someone is trying to kill your spirit. Heck no I wasn't going to watch APOCALYPSE NOW in class. I was going to take a nap. And I can't even remember if I "read" THE GRAPES OF WRATH or THE GREAT GATSBY and the only reason I get those books confused is that the two English classes were assigned them at the same time and my BFF was in the other class. I did read THE SCARLET LETTER that year, though. Do I get points?

I am a horrible influence. I'm kind of bad at this whole role model thing. Woops.

Anyway, I have to wonder, if I'd been assigned THE ROAD in high school -- and part of me wants to call up my old high school and find out what they're reading these days...creepy? -- would I have read it? Or would it have become a book that, to this day, I can't pick up and enjoy (SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, for example) because it was once one of those dreadfully assigned novels.

How do you all feel about assigned reading? August is almost here and y'all are probably getting ready to cram several weeks worth of summer assignments into a blessed few days while hooked up to an IV drip of cola hoping not to nod out. Because, you know, that's how I got through THE THINGS THEY CARRIED. I hear it's a good book. Maybe I'll pick it up and actually read it for pleasure someday.

Friday, July 23, 2010

An Analysis from A Real Life Goth! PART I[Warning: this article may contain spoilers of ensuing stories]

By Amber Skye Forbes

I am this creature called a Goth, a separate species from the human race that resigns herself to hating society, scaring people, and eating bat brains. I cover myself head-to-toe in black, listen to depressing music, and go on rants about the state of our society. Did I mention bat brains are delicious?

Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I lied. I'm not going to go on a tirade about what Goth is and what Goth isn't. It's up to you writers to do that research for yourself. After all, you should be used to it. You do research for your novels, don't you?

Despite all those crazy stereotypes out there about us, I don't wear white face make-up, I don't feel repressed by society, I'm not angry, I'm not hateful, and I most certainly don't self-injure or try to frighten people. I also don't always wear all black. I am a minimalist in all aspects of my life, including writing, photography, and the way I dress. Less is more for me. And because I'm a minimalist, I consider myself a preppy Goth, a Goth princess, or some girly form of Goth where pink is definitely acceptable (though some argue this is Cyber Goth).

In any case, I'm here to give my spiel about the comeback Gothic elements in literature. I'm not talking about Goth characters, either, but rather the Gothic element, most notably in YA paranormal. [There is a difference between Goth and Gothic. Goth is the person, Gothic is the literature and architecture.]

YA paranormal seems to be a popular genre right now, with books like Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl thrusting their pretty covers for all to see and being somehow more noticeable than other genres. I haven't read either of those books, of course, which is why I won't talk about them. But these are some examples of YA paranormals dominating the YA market.

Instead I'm going to talk about Goth influences in The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (more dystopian, but the Goth influence is still there), short stories from The Poison Eaters by Holly Black, and Need by Carrie Jones, and how these Gothic influences contribute to the overall themes found in these stories.

The Dead-Tossed Waves is the story of a girl named Gabry who grows up relatively safe in the city of Vista. It isn't until one of her friends is bitten and turned Mudo (zombie) that her life begins to dramatically change.

The Gothic influence in this novel is obvious right from the start. The novel opens up with a scene at an abandoned, decrepit amusement park, and such settings are characteristic of Gothic novels. This most likely symbolizes Gabry's world, in that it seems to be falling apart because of the onslaught of zombies with an insatiable appetite. These zombies don't even have a desire to feed, but more of a desire to turn others like them. It's a desperate world she lives in, one seemingly devoid of hope, but full of humanity. Of course, in order to appreciate the light, one must understand the darkness.

The Gothic influence, however, is best represented in Gabry. To quote a line in an article I wrote for issue 4 of Sorean: A Gothic Magazine, "main characters in Gothic novels typically show traits of vulnerability, either with isolation, a troubling past, or an undesired future." Gabry is most certainly a character that feels vulnerable. In the beginning, she plays it safe and doesn't want to take too many chances, a direct contrast with her mother, Mary, who displays a more adventurous spirit in The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Over time, however, Gabry gains some of her mother's courage, but not after experiencing horrors beyond our imaginations.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

We're celebrating the relaunch of The YA-5 with Halloween in July week! Together with YALITCHAT we've gathered four spooktakular authors who write about things that go "bump" in the night! Yesterday was Heather Brewer's turn and if you missed the interview and scavenger hunt to win a signed copy of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS or a Bathory Bats T-shirt, click here! We hope you enjoy the interviews and insights with these fabulous writers as well as the scavenger hunt (see details at end of each interview) throughout the week. Click here for the transcript of last last night's YALITCAHT Spooktakular with Heather Brewer, Claudia Gray and Nancy Holder.For now, boo! Up next, Claudia Gray!

1. You could write about anything in the world but you choose to write about things that go bump in the night, why?

ANSWER: I've always been interested in the ghoulish. In high school, I was always that weird kid sitting in the back of study hall reading DRACULA instead of doing her work. So this was a pretty natural subject for me.

2. What do you say to people who think YA books can't be scary and romantic?

ANSWER: I'd think anybody hooked into YA literature these days knows better. If that's not true, and somebody out there actually believes that, I wouldn't say anything -- just hand over a copy of one of the really great series out right now (maybe Kelley Armstrong's?) and let them figure it out for themselves.

ANSWER: I don't know yet! I've always wanted to rent one of those big, elaborate Goth Queen outfits with a huge wig and purple, red and black lace Marie Antoinette gown, but I need the right occasion to wear it. Maybe I need to be the one throwing a grand party some Halloween.

7. Would you rather read a book that was suspenseful or scary?

ANSWER: For me, they're pretty much the same; I find suspense a lot more frightening than many more straightforwardly "scary" things.

8. Ok, admit it, you watched Blair Witch with one eye open, right?

ANSWER: I LOVED "The Blair Witch Project," up until the moment in the movie theater, just when the suspense was at its height and nobody could breathe, when somebody's cell phone rang. And kept ringing. Because it took them about five minutes to get to their phone and turn it off. The ring tone: "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." Kinda spoiled the mood.

9. Have you seen Paranormal Activity? Were you scared to death or did you not even bat an eyelash?

ANSWER: I haven't seen it, actually! Maybe I'll rent it with some friends at Halloween, if nobody has a big party.

10. Tell us about your next book.

ANSWER: The next book of mine to be released will be AFTERLIFE, the fourth book in the EVERNIGHT series, in which we finally learn Bianca and Lucas' ultimate destiny, and Mrs. Bethany's big plan. The next book I'm writing is FATEFUL, which in my head has two other titles: WEREWOLVES ON THE TITANIC, which tells you what it's about, and YES, ACTUALLY, THE SITUATION CAN GET WORSE. HarperTeen didn't go for that last title. No idea why.

---ENF OF INTERVIEW---

And now for the first few clues in the Claudia Gray portion of the scavenger hunt.

1. In HOURGLASS, who orchestrated Balthazar's escape?2. Name the TWO anthologies Claudia is featured in?3. What is Claudia's favorite candy (hint: answer is in this interview)?4. When will AFTERLIFE be released?

The scavenger hunt lasts all week! You must answer all the questions CORRECTLY to win the prize from THAT author! You must be a member of The YA-5 blog to win! You may enter more than once to better your chances of winning at least ONE prize. But you may only win ONE prize for the week. Each day a new author interview will be posted along with new questions. You must visit the author's website to learn the answers to the questions posted here then post your answers in the comments section on The YA-5's site in order to win a prize. Contest ends July 23 at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be announced the week of August 2, 2010.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

We're celebrating the relaunch of The YA-5 with Halloween in July week! Together with YALITCHAT we've gathered four spooktakular authors who write about things that go "bump" in the night! Yesterday was Nancy Holder's turn and if you missed the interview and scavenger hunt to win a signed copy of POSSESSIONS or THE EVIL WITHIN, click here! We hope you enjoy the interviews and insights with these fabulous writers as well as the scavenger hunt (see details at end of each interview) throughout the week. On Wednesday, Heather Brewer, Claudia Gray and Nancy Holder will be chatting at Midnight Eastern over on twitter during YALITCHAT's Spooktakular celebration! For now, boo! Up next, Heather Brewer!

1. You could write about anything in the world but you choose to write about things that go bump in the night, why?ANSWER: Because darkness is in my nature. Ever since I was very young, I’ve been drawn to spooky things, intrigued by them. They say to write what you know, and what I know tends to lurk underneath my bed at night.

2. What do you say to people who think YA books can't be scary and romantic?

ANSWER: I say that they don’t truly understand what YA is. YA is such a broad spectrum of topics that there’s room for anything and everything. And when you think about it, there’s not much difference between a cute boy giving you goose bumps and the hair on the back of your neck standing on end because of the skeery thing behind you. In both cases, your heart rate increases and your adrenaline rushes. The emotions are strangely similar.

3. Vampires or werewolves? Or is that a dumb question?

ANSWER: Without a doubt, Vampires. I’m not a dog person. And I could never make out with anybody that needed to wax that much.

4. What are you working on now?

ANSWER: I’m currently working on the first book in my new series about a vampire slayer. It’s called: THE SLAYER CHRONICLES: BEGINNING. Fans of THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD will know exactly who this series is about. BEGINNING will hit stores Fall 2011.

ANSWER: I’m also working on BLOODBOUND, a series about a strong girl, swords, and giant, drooling monsters. That series will begin Spring 2012.

5. What are you afraid of?

ANSWER: Clowns. And water. But mostly clowns.

6. What are you dressing up as this Halloween?

ANSWER: I still haven’t decided yet! But considering the insane amount of costumes I own, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Last year I was a zombie. This year I may be a vampiric squirrel. It depends on my mood.

7. Would you rather read a book that was suspenseful or scary?

ANSWER: I have to choose?! I think these things go hand in hand. In a perfect world, anyway.

That being said, I’m still looking for the book that will really scare me. Hopefully I’ll find it someday.

8. Ok, admit it, you watched Blair Witch with one eye open, right?

ANSWER: Nah. Blair Witch was funny! And now, every time I’m in a wooded area, I wander around shouting, “Josh! Joooosh!”

9. Have you seen Paranormal Activity? Were you scared to death or did you not even bat an eyelash?

ANSWER: Haven’t seen it. After the disappointment of Quarantine (which turned out not to be horror, but just a two hour screamer video), I’m hesitant to see Paranormal Activity. The previews look like it’ll be a similar deal. But please, if I’m wrong, someone correct me!

10. What's next for you now that Vlad is going to be out of high school?

ANSWER: A lot of fangtastic travel and tons of writing, as I finish up BEGINNING and the first book of BLOODBOUND. And, as always, reigning over the Minion Horde. :)

Thanks for stopping by, Heather. You are truly one of a kind! xoxo

---ENF OF INTERVIEW---

And now for the first few clues in the Heather Brewer portion of the scavenger hunt.

1. In Bloodblound, what is Kaya's power?2. What grade is Vladimir Tod in?3. What is "minion bling?"4. Does Heather own a dog? (hint: answer can be found in THIS interview)

The scavenger hunt lasts all week! You must answer all the questions CORRECTLY to win the prize from THAT author! You may enter more than once to better your chances of winning at least ONE prize. But you may only win ONE prize for the week. Each day a new author interview will be posted along with new questions. You must visit the author's website to learn the answers to the questions posted here then post your answers in the comments section on The YA-5's site in order to win a prize. Contest ends July 23 at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be announced the week of August 2, 2010.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

We're celebrating the relaunch of The YA-5 with Halloween in July week! Together with YALITCHAT we've gathered four spooktakular authors who write about things that go "bump" in the night! Yesterday was Michelle Zink's turn and if you missed the interview and scavenger hunt to win a signed copy of either PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS or GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, click here! We hope you enjoy the interviews and insights with these fabulous writers as well as the scavenger hunt (see details at end of each interview) throughout the week. On Wednesday, Heather Brewer, Claudia Gray and Nancy Holder will be chatting at Midnight Eastern over on twitter during YALITCHAT's Spooktakular celebration! For now, boo! Up next, Nancy Holder!

Nancy Holder is the author of the YA horror series, POSSESSIONS. Her newest book, Evil Within, is the second in the series. The third is named The Screaming Season.

1. You could write about anything in the world but you choose to write about things that go bump in the night, why?

ANSWER: I honestly do not know. Whenever I write something scary, I watch tons of horror movies and write to horror movie soundtracks.
I'm in a constant state of fear for months on end. I have to sleep with the lights on. When I was little, I was terrified to get into my bed. I was sure there was a monster under it, waiting to grab me. I would have to make a running leap into bed. thought there was a skeleton inside my mattress, ready to stab me through the shoulderblades. I had to go down a long hall to use the bathroom, and one night I was so tired of being scared that I whirled around and whispered, "I'm the queen of it!" So maybe somehow I decided that if I write about it, I'll use up some of all that fear. But I really have no idea.

2. A short synopsis of one of your new books scared me! I'm a big softie. What do you say to people who think YA books can't be scary and romantic?

ANSWER: I think they're wrong. Look at Buffy and Angel, and Bella and her guys. The Phantom of the Opera. What is more romantic than a demon lover? What is scarier?

3. Vampires or werewolves?

ANSWER: BOTH!!!! Love 'em both.

4. What are you working on now?

ANSWER: I recently turned in the 3rd Possessions novel, titled THE SCREAMING SEASON. Debbie Viguie and I are hard at work on a new ya dark fantasy series called CRUSADE. It comes out on September 7th and we'll be going on tour for it.

5. What are you afraid of?

ANSWER: Permanent consequences. Loss. Premature burial. The usual.

6. What are you dressing up as this Halloween?

ANSWER: Malificent. I have the most awesome costume that my daughter bought me at Disneyland.

7. Would you rather read a book that was suspenseful or scary?

ANSWER: Both, but I would go for scary. I just finished reading LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and it was both. Very intense book.

8. Ok, admit it, you watched Blair Witch with one eye open, right?

ANSWER: RIGHT! And one hand gripping the forearm of a handsome guy.

9. Have you seen Paranormal Activity? Were you scared to death or did you not even bat an eyelash?

ANSWER: I'm too afraid to see it. Have you seen it?

Emily: Haven't seen it yet. But I LOOOOVE seeing scary movies. When I lived in NYC I would watch them alone in the dark without a second thought. But I tried to watch one by myself recently and all I could think was, "why isn't my boyfriend here to save me from the bad guys?" I clearly am getting more terrifyable with age.Kari Anne: I haven't see it. The only time I have to watch movies is by myself in the middle of the night. I'm waaay too wimpy to manage PARANORMAL ACTIVITY alone in the dark. One day, though, in a lighted area full of people...I'm in.Georgia: I did. I was kinda of OK while watching it. I found it a little predictable, maybe even hokey. But then I couldn't sleep and begged my husband to let me sleep with the lights on. How's that for effective film-making?Justina: No. I prefer to NOT pee my pants. I'm funny like that.

10. Tell us about your next book.

CRUSADE will out next. I'm so happy to be working with Debbie Viguie, my WICKED coauthor. Our story is about the war we lost--the war with the vampires. Our vampire hunters are the Resistance. Jenn Leitner and Antonio de la Cruz are our main characters, but it's really an ensemble story, like WICKED. We have witches, werewolves, and vampires...and possibly the spirit of St. John of the Cross as their guiding force. We love working together. We'll be on tour together in September. We haven't seen each other in a year.

Thanks for stopping by, Nancy!

---END OF INTERVIEW---

And now for the first few clues in the Nancy Holder portion of the scavenger hunt.

1. What is the name of Nancy's CRUSADE co-author? (hint: answer is in this interview)
2. What symbol is on the cover of the CRUSADE novel?
3. Where was Nancy born?

The scavenger hunt lasts all week! You must answer all the questions CORRECTLY to win the prize from THAT author! You may enter more than once to better your chances of winning at least ONE prize. But you may only win ONE prize for the week. Each day a new author interview will be posted along with new questions. You must visit the author's website to learn the answers to the questions posted here then post your answers in the comments section on The YA-5's site in order to win a prize. Contest ends July 23 at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be announced the week of August 2, 2010.

Monday, July 19, 2010

We're celebrating the relaunch of The YA-5 with Halloween in July week! Together with YALITCHAT we've gathered four spooktakular authors who write about things that go "bump" in the night! We hope you enjoy the interviews and insights with these fabulous writers as well as the scavenger hunt (see details at end of each interview) throughout the week. On Wednesday, Heather Brewer, Claudia Gray and Nancy Holder will be chatting at Midnight Eastern over on twitter during YALITCHAT's Spooktakular celebration! For now, boo! Up first, Michelle Zink!Michelle Zink (michellezink.com) is the author of the popular book, Prophecy of the Sisters (prophecyofthesisters.com (book website) The sequel, Guardian of the Gate will be released August 1st 2010.

1. You could write about anything in the world but you choose to write about things that go bump in the night, why?

It's two-fold, I think. My father was a horror aficionado and an avid reader. His library was full of titles by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Peter Straub. As a teenager, I could never be without a book to read, so when I blew through the books in my school library, I turned to his. I'm pretty sure I was the only 11-year-old in my town reading The Shining! Those books really shaped me as a reader and a writer. I still love being scared, and writing those kinds of stories gives me the same feeling as reading them. At the same time, I do battle with my own darkness. I feel like I'm always struggling with my darker nature. Sometimes, I feel all alone in it. Like the rest of the world is so GOOD and happy all the time (which, of course, isn't true) and I'm the only one fighting that battle. I guess writing about it is one way to feel like I have power over it. 2. What do you say to people who think YA books can't be scary and romantic?

Oh, my gosh! So not true. Look at books like Wuthering Heights and Rebecca! Such amazing, Gothic, dark, and romantic work. Besides, it's more of a challenge to write in an under-served area. I love having to stretch to accomplish something new and different, and I like challenging readers to read something different, too.

3. Vampires or werewolves?

Werewolves. Unless we're talking Anne Rice's vampires. :D

7. Would you rather read a book that was suspenseful or scary?

Scary! I so love being scared. But suspenseful is a close second. It's difficult for me to truly enjoy anything that doesn't have at least one of those elements.

4. What are you working on now?

I have two potential series lined up. One of them is a contemporary fantasy. Very dark and action-packed. I think of it as The Dark Knight meets Twilight without the vampires. The other is a sort of Gothic Steampunk set in London in the late 1800s. I love them both, but we have to see what the agent says. ;)

5. What are you afraid of?

Losing the people closest to me. Without a doubt.

6. What are you dressing up as this Halloween?

I never get to dress up because I'm always too busy helping my kids with crazy costumes! We have a "no buy" rule when it comes to costumes, which means we can't purchase one. We can purchase pieces, but that's it, and we challenge ourselves to do it as cheaply as possible. My youngest daughter has dressed up as a mad scientist (by borrowing a lab coat, using some old glasses with the lenses popped out, and ratting her hair to high heaven) and Sarah Palin ( with a blazer and a bun, she looked frighteningly like the politician!). My oldest daughter went as a Steampunk Alice in Wonderland last year by modifying an $8 prom dress we found at the thrift store and adding her own boots and accessories.

8. Ok, admit it, you watched Blair Witch with one eye open, right?

Yes, but I cover my eyes when it comes to gore! Ick!

9. Have you seen Paranormal Activity? Were you scared to death or did you not even bat an eyelash?

Oh, God... that movie REALLY got under my skin. While I was watching it, I thought, "Okay, this isn't so bad." But then when I went home to sleep, I was really freaked out. I kept hearing that weird sound you'd hear when, well... YOU KNOW. I think it took about three nights to be able to sleep without my heart beating fast and loud in the dark!

10. Tell us about your next book--Guardian of the Gate.

When I started writing Prophecy, I really wanted to create an epic fantasy series. I didn't want to write a series t hat was a series because it COULD be, but because it HAD to be. I miss those epic, otherworldly stories of old like Lord of the Rings and The Mists of Avalon. Guardian of the Gate is the continuation of Lia's journey to find the missing page of the prophecy and the remaining keys. The story literally cannot be complete without the next two books. In Guardian of the Gate, Lia embarks on a dangerous quest, becomes acquainted with a mysterious new guy, and faces a betrayal of unimaginable proportions. Dun-dun-DUN! :D It's a story you can get totally lost in, and I hope you all enjoy the journey.

Thanks for stopping by, Michelle and good luck with GUARDIAN OF THE GATE!

And now for the first few clues in the Michelle Zink portion of the scavenger hunt.

1. What song is Michelle into (video is posted on her website) this week? 2. What movie is Michelle looking forward to seeing more than any this year so far? 3. What city will Michelle be visiting on September 10, 2010? 4. What is the name of Michelle's new book?

Prize: A signed copy of PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS or GUARDIAN OF THE GATE (2 winners, one book each).

SCAVENGER HUNT RULES

The scavenger hunt lasts all week! You must answer all the questions CORRECTLY to win the prize from THAT author! You may enter more than once to better your chances of winning at least ONE prize. But you may only win ONE prize for the week. Each day a new author interview will be posted along with new questions. You must visit the author's website to learn the answers to the questions posted here then post your answers in the comments section on The YA-5's site in order to win a prize. Contest ends July 23 at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be announced the week of August 2, 2010. Winners must be followers/friends of the The YA-5 site!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Next Monday (July 19) is our spectacular-spooktacular awesome-strvaganze relaunch week! We're teaming up with YA-5 team member Georgia McBride's YALITCHAT site and weekly Twitter chat event to help bring you Halloween in July (all the spooky fun, none of the creepy house that hands out boxes of raisins).

We'll have author interviews (Michelle Zink! Heather Brewer! Claudia Gray! Nancy Holder!), a guest blogger (real life Goth princess Amber Skye), and a whole lot of fun (maybe even some contests and fab prizes). So stop in, drop in, or ride your broom, and we'll see you on Monday!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

But we are sprucing up and getting ready for our blogtastic, blow your mind, chock full of awesome-sauce relaunch. How cool will it be?

Very. Okay, at least we think so...

I don't want to give it away, but there will be prizes, interviews, and maybe a contest that requires you to search the interwebs Indiana Jones style, minus the whip. Unless, of course, you're into that sort of thing (and if you are, we'd rather not know).

Either way, join us on July 19 when we have our EPIC re-launch. Write it down, set your Google Calendar Alerts, tweet about it on Twitter, but be there or...be somewhere else. That's cool, too, but we'd rather you come visit us. :)

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The YA-5 is a group of writers with a shared vision for change. Change in the way that information about YA books is shared on the web - with you, the people who read & love YA books. We don't want to tell you which books to buy - we'd rather hear what you think.

Talk to us. Tell us what you think, what you know and how you feel about YA. Comment on our blogs, our vlogs, our ramblings. Tweet us, tag us, call us out when we're full of it. We're The YA-5 and we can take it.

But don't look for us on the weekend, 'cause even superheroes need days off.